Folk Songs
Activity: Under the "About the Music" tab you find information about each of the folk songs used in Vaughan Williams' English Folk Song Suite. Take time to listen to recordings found in the links. Your task is to read the lyrics and write a paragraph that articulates the meaning of the song, or your interpretation of the song. ALSO, you must relate this to how Vaughan Williams orchestrates this in his music. For example: are the lyrics happy or sad, and is that section of the piece major or minor?
Activity (Performance-based): Another activity involving these folk songs will get your ear working! Pick one of these folk songs and listen to the link provided. Next, you must attempt to learn the melody by ear and play it on your instrument. You must write it down on staff paper. Memorizing it is not required but recommended. You do not have to do the whole thing, just 10-15 seconds of one.
Goal: Be able to identify and/or play the Folk Song melodies that Vaughan Williams' uses in his work.
Materials: Computer or source to listen to folk song, staff paper and pencil, instrument
Rubric:
5-Excellent
Student correctly notates at least 15 seconds of a folk song of their choice. Student is able to perform their transcription with right notes/rhythms, ease, and thought towards phrasing of the melody. One minor mistake will not detract from the overall quality of the product.
4-Good
Student notates 10-15 seconds of a folk song. At least 85% of notes and rhythms are correct. Student can perform their transcription with the right notes they notated, allowing for 1 or 2 hesitations.
3-Fair
Student notates about 10 seconds of a folk song. They notate the general melodic shape of the melody and more than half the notes and rhythms are correct. Student is able to get through a performance of their transcription.
2-Unsatisfactory
Student notates close to 10 seconds of a folk song. They are able to notate and play a couple of correct pitches and rhythms in sequence.
1-Failure
Student was not able to complete the assignment.
Goal: Be able to identify and/or play the Folk Song melodies that Vaughan Williams' uses in his work.
Materials: Computer or source to listen to folk song, staff paper and pencil, instrument
Rubric:
5-Excellent
Student correctly notates at least 15 seconds of a folk song of their choice. Student is able to perform their transcription with right notes/rhythms, ease, and thought towards phrasing of the melody. One minor mistake will not detract from the overall quality of the product.
4-Good
Student notates 10-15 seconds of a folk song. At least 85% of notes and rhythms are correct. Student can perform their transcription with the right notes they notated, allowing for 1 or 2 hesitations.
3-Fair
Student notates about 10 seconds of a folk song. They notate the general melodic shape of the melody and more than half the notes and rhythms are correct. Student is able to get through a performance of their transcription.
2-Unsatisfactory
Student notates close to 10 seconds of a folk song. They are able to notate and play a couple of correct pitches and rhythms in sequence.
1-Failure
Student was not able to complete the assignment.
